Letters to Editor 20 Nov
Visitors to the Bay
My husband and I found ourselves with a few free hours after flying into Nelson in early November. Neither of us had ever visited Takaka and decided to head for the hills. What a surprise to drive over the summit of the hill and find a beautiful green secret valley below. The day was warm and sunny as we drove down the main street of Takaka, we pulled in and parked next to a small green park area where we found stalls of handmade crafts, aluminium daisies, flax baskets and potted seedlings. We ventured into most of the shops along the main street and purchased a few things along the way. We stopped for lunch at The Wholemeal Café and found ourselves being serenaded by an amazing pianist; the food was flavoursome and delicious.
Although our visit was brief, we will not forget Takaka and hope to come back again soon. We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who served us with such welcoming and friendly service. It put a smile on our faces for the rest of the day.
Mandy Scott (Wellington)
Joan Whiting Rest Home
“Take away the burden of debt and this home [the Joan Whiting Rest Home] would tick along quite nicely.” (GBW Letters 13/11).
If only that were true. In fact, debt is the least of the Joan Whiting’s financial problems - our debt servicing is only around $17,000 a year but our deficit is close to $130,000. The Joan Whiting’s problem is not debt, but inadequate Government funding for care of the elderly in small rural rest homes. The Government grant is significantly below what it actually costs for the quality service that our local rest home provides.
Christopher Mitson, chairperson
Joan Whiting Board of Trustees
Water supplies and deer resource
I am alarmed at two recent developments within the Government.
It has been reported that the Government is to consider permitting private ownership of public water supplies. It is abhorrent that a necessity of life, that is owned by the people at large, should be taken from them to produce profit for individuals. This is reminiscent of the injustices of the “enclosures” of the common lands in Britain in past centuries. The supply of water on a large scale is one of the “natural monopolies” and I simply do not believe that the consumer could benefit by privatisation.
The other matter of concern is that the Government is to consider a proposal for large pests such as deer to be recognised as a resource, and for a Game Animal Council to be established by law and to control that resource. These changes would be a serious retrograde step and a threat to nature conservation. The organised deer hunters are already in opposition to the Department of Conservation over the very useful work it does, on behalf of the Government, towards eradicating possums with the attendant by-kill of deer. If the hunters should get statutory powers through the proposed council they would be in a very strong position to hinder the execution of the policy of possum removal and also the reduction of ungulate pests to a level that is safe for vegetation, soil and water.
Bob Kennedy
Speed limit review
Tasman District speed limits are currently being reviewed, including some within Golden Bay. Unfortunately there is no relief proposed for Rototai Road.
Residents have been requesting a limit of 50kmph down from 70kmph following the development of the Arapeta subdivision. Reasons include: 1. Sight-line visibility has been reduced at the right-angled corner by residential fences. 2. Young families in the area are increasing in number and children cross Rototai Road to the cycle/walkway to access a safe route to schools. 3. To the north of the Arapeta corner there are additional driveways with poor visibility for turning vehicles. 4. Residents on the western side of the corner are suddenly confronted by traffic because of reduced visibility.
The changed circumstances and residents’ concerns about them need to be taken into account.
From the beginning of Rototai Road at the high school to just past Boundary Road, the eastern side of the road is pasture. The road is straight and flat with good sight lines and a 50kmph speed limit.
Beyond Boundary Road there are both ribbon development and individual houses interspersed with pasture on a windy, undulating section of Rototai Road leading to the Arapeta subdivision with a 70kmph limit. A 50kmph zone from Meihana Street to halfway between the subdivision and cemetery would help mitigate safety concerns.
The proposals will be advertised and submissions will be invited by TDC.
Karen Brookes, GB Community Board member
Opinions
Perhaps the next GB Weekly reader survey can ask the question “How come a select minority can speak for the majority?” Are the majority too unenlightened to have an opinion? I feel sure that if a simple phone, text, email poll were to be taken on some recent subjects, the reaction to most of the ideas, projects and overall opportunities for Golden Bay would be widely approved. I, for one, am all in favour of change, within reason, as one of the select minority went to great lengths to explain a few weeks ago in a letter to the editor. In other words change is ok, as long as it suits me!
This is a wonderful piece of the world to live in. If we object to every proposal, resource consent application or general ideas, Golden Bay will go backwards, subsequently losing our younger generation to other “go ahead” areas who can provide them with employment and career opportunities. I go back to the old adage, “If you’re not happy, move to somewhere more conducive to your chosen lifestyle”. It used to be called freedom of choice. Happy living.
Gary Clough
Sewage spill
It was with shock I read the warnings not to eat shellfish from Pakawau to Parapara beaches due to contamination from a sewage spill at Collingwood. As I am new to the area, I am unaware if this is a regular occurrence. It may be idealistic of me to envision a council that supported a sustainable infrastructure, especially for a coastal community, in a transition towards ecological black and grey water systems. (Kapiti Coast has taken that initiative for any new developments). This presents a responsible approach that is ultimately more ‘cost effective’ in the long term and cares for the soil, water and health of the people. I feel gratitude to the access of tasty kaimoana treasures in this special place - may it continue for seven generations. Unless inadequate sewage systems continue to pollute planet paradise.
Marsha Jones
Ed. See article this issue.
